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Welcome to our blog on Synonyms and Antonyms, an essential topic in English Language that plays a crucial role in all competitive exams. Approximately 3 - 4 questions are certain to appear from this topic in the exam, making it imperative for you to grasp the concepts of Synonyms and Antonyms thoroughly and practice a variety of questions.

In this blog, we will comprehensively cover all the theoretical concepts and rules of this topic. Additionally, we have included previously asked questions from various competitive exams, to help you get a feel for what to expect. So, let's dive into the world of Synonyms and Antonyms and boost your exam preparation.

<img loading="lazy" alt="Synonyms and Antonyms" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/Synonyms_and_Antonyms.webp" style="height:338px; width:600px">

[Source: KD Live]

Synonyms and Antonyms are a great way to test one’s vocabulary.

Synonyms are words that have the same or similar meanings. Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. In competitive exams like SSC and Banking, vocabulary will help you solve questions on synonyms and antonyms, which can be tricky sometimes.

Some difficult Synonyms and Antonyms are as follows –

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:320px">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Word</td>
			<td>Synonym</td>
			<td>Antonym</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Abstinence = To stop yourself from enjoying something</td>
			<td>Temperance, sobriety, chastity, celibacy</td>
			<td>Promiscuity, gluttony</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Abettor = Someone who assists someone in doing something wrong</td>
			<td>Accomplice, advocate, promoter</td>
			<td>Antagonist, rival</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Crusade = Campaign for change</td>
			<td>Drive, movement, struggle, battle</td>
			<td>Halt, stoppage, prevent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Shrewd = To show sharp qualities of judgment</td>
			<td>Intelligent, alert, clever, smart</td>
			<td>Unwise, ingenuous, stupid,</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vindictive = Strong desire for revenge</td>
			<td>Revengeful, unforgiving, merciless</td>
			<td>Forgiving</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Expeditious = Done with speed</td>
			<td>Diligent, efficient, punctual</td>
			<td>Slow, leisurely, deliberate</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Convalesce = To recover after illness</td>
			<td>Recuperate, recover</td>
			<td>Deteriorate, worsen</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

But what should you do if you do not know the meaning of the word?

<h2 id="content-id-1844-0">Synonyms and Antonyms: Identify Parts of Speech</h2>

Follow this method of identification to increase the chances of getting the answer right. You must first identify the given word or the parts of speech. The given words may be any of the following four -

a) Noun – It can be a name, place, a thing, etc.

Eg – Anita, Kolkata, Eraser, etc.

b) Adjective – It can describe the quality of a noun.

Eg – Beautiful, Grand, small, etc.

c) Verb – It can describe an action.

Eg – Run, Swim, Laughing, etc.

d) Adverb – It can describe the quality of a verb.

Eg – Fast, Slowly, Peacefully, etc.

Remember that the synonym or antonym of a noun will always be a noun. Hence, it is important to identify the word first. (Pro-tip: There are very less questions on verb and adverb since these are easier to identify. Mostly, the examiner focuses on noun and adjective)

<h2 id="content-id-1844-1">Synonyms and Antonyms: Tricks to Identify a Noun</h2>

Nouns usually end with the following letters –

i) er – Writer, Lover, Leader

ii) or – Director, Corridor, Governor

iii) ty – Honesty, Majesty, Guilty

iv) sion – Mansion, Decision, Television

v) th – Myth, Sixteenth, Aftermath

vi) ment – Government, Disappointment, Regiment

vii) ry – Chivalry, Bravery, Misery, Dictionary

viii) ness – Niceness, Kindness, Gentleness

ix) ce – Performance, Maintenance, Fireplace

x) dom – Boredom, Kingdom, Stardom

xi) ship – Battleship, Friendship xii) lure – Allure, Failure

xiii) ge – Mortgage, Garage

xiv) ics – Physics, Mechanics

xv) ar- Altar, Oscar

Let us take an example – If you are asked to find the synonym or antonym of a word ending in ‘–ment’ and you do not know the meaning of the word. The options are words ending in

a) –ly (usually an adverb)

b) –ul (usually not a noun)

c) –ing (usually a verb)

d) –sion (a noun)

The best way to solve such questions is to identify the parts of speech. Here, the given word is a noun and hence, the answer would also be a noun. Clearly, the first three options can be eliminated. The last option d) is the safest possible option.

Question - Select the SYNONYM of the given word – ‘Pioneer’

1. Grumble 2. Facade

3. Abandon  4. Primary

Answer – Pioneer means someone among the first to explore, develop, lead, etc. Primary also means the first level, layer, etc. Hence, Primary is the synonym. But if you don’t know the meaning of Pioneer, you can follow the identification method. Pioneer is a noun. Hence, synonym must also be a noun. From the list, words ending in –ry is a noun. Hence, ‘Primary’ is the correct answer.

Remember that this is not a 100% effective way to solve Synonym-Antonym questions. Use it only when you are not sure of the word-meaning.

<h2 id="content-id-1844-2">Synonys and Antonys: Tricks to Identify an Adjective</h2>

i) able – Commendable, Disable

ii) al – International, Chemical, Magical

iii) ful – Beautiful, Fruitful

iv) ous – Viscous, Continuous

v) ic – Magic, Civic

vi) ary – Customary, Adversary

vii) nent – Permanent, Eminent

viii) ve – Negative, Positive

ix) ible – Permissible, Accessible

Tricks to identify a Verb: 

It is easy to identify verbs as they are action words. In case of confusion, look at words ending with –

i) ed – Breathed,

ii) t – Slept, Wept, Dreamt

iii) ing – Wailing, Borrowing

<h2 id="content-id-1844-3">Synonyms and Antonyms: Tricks to identify an Adverb</h2>

Usually, adverbs end in –ly. Sometimes, adjectives also end with ly like costly, deadly, friendly, etc. There is one simple difference.

• Adverb = Adjective + ly (beautiful + ly)

• Adjective = Noun + ly (Friend + ly)

IMPORTANT CASE - For instance, the question asks you to find the synonym of a noun and all the four options are noun only. What should you do? Here, you need to identify the type of noun such as proper noun, common noun, collective noun, abstract noun, etc. and the option will be according to this type. This rule applies to adjectives, verbs and adverbs as well.

<h2 id="content-id-1844-4">Synonyms and Antonyms: Word Analysis</h2>

Q. Choose the synonym of Animate

a) Dead 

b) Energize

c) Calm 

d) Copy

Here, we can analyze the word ‘animate’. We can relate it to animation which can mean cartoon or something that moves or has life. Hence, ‘Energize’ will be the synonym.

Now, more focus and effort should be given on using the above-mentioned tips and tricks to learn and practice as many words as possible. Given below are some previously asked questions in exams. By practising the following questions, you will be preparing yourself for both SSC as well as Bank exams.

<img loading="lazy" alt="Synonyms and Antonyms previous" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/Synonyms_and_Antonyms_previous.webp" style="height:338px; width:600px">

[Source: KD Live]

<h2 id="content-id-1844-5">SSC Previous Year Questions of Synonyms and Antonyms</h2>

Direction (1 to 10) Select the most appropriate SYNONYM of the given word or the highlighted word in the given sentences. 

Q:1 The president's concern for the homeless people was superficial and ended as soon as the media left the event. [SSC CGL Tier I 2022]

1.Shallow 

2.Derogatory

3.Regardless 

4.Insubstantial

Q:2 Even though Margaret had already eaten a large meal, she could not resist eating two slices of the delectable pie. [SSC CGL Tier I 2022]

1.Stale 

2.Delicious

3.Nutritious 

4.Rotten

Q:3 PROMPT [SSC CGL Tier I 2021]

1.Lengthy 

2.Quick

3.Slow 

4.Gradual

Q:4 Dedicated [SSC CGL Tier I 2021]

1.Dreary 

2.Boring

3.Tedious 

4.Committed

Q:5 Ostentatious [SSC CGL Tier I 2022]

1.showy 

2.tasteful

3.quick 

4.sudden

Q:6 Retaliate [SSC CGL Tier I 2022]

1.Facilitate 

2.Rotate

3.Clap 

4.React

Q:7 Avert [SSC CGL Tier I 2022]

1.Face 

2.Permit

3.Confront 

4.Prevent

Q:8 Forbid [SSC CHSL 2021]

1.Encourage 

2.Prohibit

3.Close 

4.Adieu

Q:9 Despicable [SSC CHSL 2021]

1.Laudable 

2.Commendable

3.Desirable 

4.Contemptible

Q:10 The sporadic instructions of the invigilators distracted the examinee. [SSC CGL Tier I 2022] 

1.Continuous 

2.Indirect

3.Repetitive 

4.Occasional

 

This article has provided you with valuable insights into the world of Synonyms and Antonyms. We sincerely hope that you have found this blog useful and that it has contributed to enhancing your understanding of this crucial topic. As you continue to gear up for your upcoming exam, we encourage you to share your thoughts, or any doubts you may have in the comments section below.

Stay tuned, as <a href="https://study.kdcampus.live/">KD Live</a> promises to bring you more such informative blogs with comprehensive study material and a thorough analysis of previous year questions on all the topics of English Language section. Best of luck with your exam preparations, and may you excel in your endeavors!

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Synonyms and Antonyms: Identify Parts of Speech

Synonyms and Antonyms: Tricks to Identify a Noun

Synonys and Antonys: Tricks to Identify an Adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms: Tricks to identify an Adverb

SSC Previous Year Questions of Synonyms and Antonyms

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